Finance & Business Manager
Highcliffe St Mark Primary School, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 5AZ59 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
15 September 2025 at 11:59pm
Date listed
16 July 2025
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership roles
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 37 hours per week across 5 days, with some flexibility for the right candidate term time only plus 3 weeks, 41 weeks per year
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Between £37,938 and £43,693
What skills and experience we're looking for
Highcliffe St Mark is a thriving, inclusive primary school set in the beautiful coastal town of Christchurch. Rooted in Christian values and committed to educational excellence, we are proud of our dynamic and caring team who work together to make a real difference in the lives of our children and the wider community.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Finance and Business Manager to join our senior leadership team. This is a key strategic role, vital to the smooth and effective running of our school. You’ll lead on finance, HR, premises, health and safety, and administration, supporting the Headteacher and governors to deliver the very best for our pupils. This is a full time role, although there will be some flexibility on hours
The ideal candidate will:
- Demonstrate outstanding business management skills and a solution-focused approach
- Hold a recognised qualification in finance, management, or business (degree level preferred, but significant relevant experience and CPD will be considered)
- Have substantial experience managing finance and/or administration in a school or comparable setting
- Have strong leadership experience, including performance management and team development
- Be confident in project management, reporting, and presenting to senior stakeholders
- Have a working knowledge of HR, payroll, recruitment, and data protection compliance
- Be experienced in facilities, health and safety, and premises management
- Communicate effectively, build strong relationships, and model high professional standards
- Support and uphold the school’s Christian values and inclusive ethos
What the school offers its staff
In return, we offer:
- A positive, welcoming and supportive school community
- An experienced and committed administrative team to lead
- Excellent facilities and outdoor learning spaces
- A strong culture of professional development
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a forward-thinking school
We warmly welcome visits to the school — come and see what makes Highcliffe St Mark such a special place to work.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Highcliffe St Mark Primary School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary
- School size
- 610 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Highcliffe St Mark Primary School website
- Email address
- hhardwicke@highcliffeprimary.dorset.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01425273029
“Learning for Life; Respect for all”
Highcliffe St Mark C of E Primary School is situated in a quiet and popular residential area in the coastal location of Highcliffe in the borough of Christchurch. We have strong links within our community and as a church school we have good connections with St Mark’s Church supporting and celebrating key events throughout the year.
Highcliffe St Mark C of E Primary School is a three form entry school and presently there are 608 children on roll. All of our staff work together as a very supportive team who are continually striving for high standards of education for our children.
The school is housed in two separate buildings on a large site. We are fortunate to have additional learning spaces such as a music and drama room, wildlife area and cookery room. Our extensive school grounds benefit from a small, all
weather sports pitch, a good sized playing field, excellent wildlife and forest schools areas and a heated open air swimming
pool.
We provide wrap around care by offering breakfast and after school clubs as well as Holiday Club during school holiday periods. We also have a number of externally run clubs after school.
We have good relationships and working partnerships with our main feeder pre-schools and Highcliffe School. We also have close links within The Christchurch Learning Partnership.
Our children have many opportunities to contribute to decision making in our school and to make a difference both in their local community and on a global scale. As a Church of England Foundation School we respect all individuals in a secure and caring environment based on our core Christian Values of Courage, Compassion and Respect. We hold a bronze
United Against Bullying Award and we are particularly proud of our children’s passion for the environment led by the Eco Action group and of our Green Flag status. We have achieved bronze Global Neighbours level through Christian Aid. We have also been awarded the Platinum Gold School Games Mark award for commitment, engagement and delivery of
competitive school sport and the Music Mark for our varied and exciting musical opportunities within and beyond the curriculum.
Arranging a visit to Highcliffe St Mark Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hhardwicke@highcliffeprimary.dorset.sch.uk.
School location
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